How to Make a Fish Tank Heater

Heating can be accomplished by using a small solar panel. (Image: Solar Panel image by kuhar from Fotolia.com)

In 1981, the first solar water heater was patented, but it was the hot box that was the prototype that gave way to using solar energy to create heated water to millions of people since 1982. After years it became apparent to the everyday man that solar heating compared to coal or wood was much cheaper. In our world today we can apply these techniques to heat almost anything we want for a decent price.

Things You'll Need

4 10-inches long 2-by-4s

Four nails

Hammer

Glass measuring 10 by 10

Rubber mat or metal

Coiled copper piping 15 inches long

Fish tank hose

Hand saw

Duct tape

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Set up your aquarium near a natural light source.

Set up the aquarium near a window so that your solar heater will heat the aquarium. (Image: sun and window image by cemil adakale from Fotolia.com)

Nail the four boards together to create a square.

Cut two notches out of one piece of the wooden square, using a hand saw. These are where the copper piping and hoses will come out.

Lay a rubber mat or metal on top of your wooden square, and duct tape it down to the square. Both rubber and metal attract heat.

Flip over your wooden square. Lay the copper piping in the box so both ends come out of the notches in the wood.

Set the glass on top of the wooden square, and duct tape it to the wood.

Cut your hose in two separate pieces, long enough to connect to the pump.